Compare
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$18 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).